RIFLE RANGE BOY

Evil (Miniseries; 2016-22) S1-S3, 36 episodes. I s evil something extrinsic, or is it something within ourselves? Is the world comprised of two equally opposing powers trying to dominate the other? Is there a rational explanation for all the bizarre things that happen around us? Can science adequately explain them? A long time ago, actually, it all depended on where one hailed from. It was utterly acceptable to blame one's socially unacceptable acts on the forces of evil and get away scot-free. In ancient times, some civilisations preached we were responsible for our actions and needed to be repaid in this birth or next. The source of evil is the suppressed desires of the reptilian brain, whose ill thoughts are cancelled off by the conscious mind. Almost apologetically, some Middle East religions blame all misdeeds on rogue angels who strayed God's path. These deviants try to recruit mortals to their camp to give God and his teaching a run for his money. In the modern world, in...

Pulsagari (North Korean; 1985) Director: Shin Sang-ok Although we have hardly heard of North Korea (NK)'s indulgement in the celluloid industry, The Supreme Leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong-Un and Kim Jong-Il before him, are movie buffs. The elder was so desperate to bring his country's movies to the international arena (and to make propaganda films) that Jong-Il kidnapped South Korea's famous film icons of the 60s, Shin Sang-ok and his ex-wife Choi Eun-hee for this purpose. In 1979, Choi went missing in Hong Kong. Shin was the prime suspect in her disappearance. In trying to investigate her vanishing, he was kidnapped by Kim's men and whisked off to NK. Here, Shin found Choi safe and sound. After series of torture and rehabilitation exercise, Shin decided that the best way to escape was to play ball. Both Choi and Shin soon became a feature in NK high society. He was coaxed to make about 7 movies, of which Pulsagari is one. A ...

I heard of a theory put forward by a psychologist recently that we are all born evil! Deep inside we are born, not as clean slate but as a chalice of evil overflowing through our every orifices. Of course these helplessly cute tots are not able to perform any of their evil deeds because of the sheer size and incoordination. The psychologist, however, propose that upbringing is the one that modifies these literally 'inner demons' to be doing things acceptable in the society. The caregivers guide us through our daily guidances to mould us to be useful members of the society, to conform to what is accepted as norm. The social etiquette and logical reciprocal course of reaction to any action is engrained into us through repetitive conditioning. This Pavlovian reaction helps to maintain sanity and ensures that even the weak and downtrodden get their place in the sun. Come a moment of desperation, a mob, famine or pain, these inner demons will come to fore. They will be exposed in ...